Pioneer Exits Blu-ray Drive Business, Reports Say

Key Takeaways

1. Pioneer has exited the Blu-ray optical drive market by selling its optical drive branch to Shanxi Lightchain Technology in China.
2. The company is shifting its focus towards automotive electronics, particularly car navigation systems, for future developments.
3. Pioneer began producing optical drive recorders in 1995, known for high writing quality and low error rates.
4. The last Pioneer Blu-ray product launched was the BDR-X13U-X BDXL recorder in 2024, with no new drives or media to be produced thereafter.
5. LG remains one of the few manufacturers still offering Blu-ray recorders, such as the WH14NS40 14x BDXL burner.

Pioneer has reportedly exited the Blu-ray optical drive market, as stated by Impress.

The firm has sold its shares in Pioneer Digital Design and Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (PDDM), its optical drive branch, to Shanxi Lightchain Technology Industrial Development Co., Ltd. in China. This change comes after the company’s decision to shift its focus towards automotive electronics, particularly its well-known car navigation systems, for future developments.

History of Innovation

Pioneer started producing optical drive recorders aimed at the computer sector in 1995. The company’s lineup of CD, DVD, and Blu-ray recorders became recognized for their excellent writing quality and minimal error rates across various recordable formats. One of the final products they launched was the Pioneer BDR-X13U-X BDXL Blu-ray recorder, which hit the market in 2024.

Where to Find Pioneer Products

For those interested in purchasing a Pioneer drive, it’s best to check availability at the Pioneer Store on Amazon and other retailers since no more Pioneer drives or recordable media will be produced moving forward. Currently, the Pioneer US store has no inventory, and the Pioneer Japan store is set to close on May 30.

Remaining Competitors

LG stands as one of the few remaining manufacturers of Blu-ray recorders. They offer products like the WH14NS40 14x BDXL burner available on Amazon, which is compatible with software like MakeMKV for easy ripping.

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